Swiss CEO sees decision on further upgrade to larger CSeries by year-end

ZURICH, July 6 (Reuters) - Lufthansa unit Swiss
International Air Lines will decide whether to upgrade a further
five Bombardier CSeries jets to the larger variant by
the end of the year, the carrier's chief executive said on
Wednesday.

Swiss, the launch customer for the new plane, had placed a
firm order for 30 CS100 jets and has already converted 15 of
those to the larger CS300 variant.

"It's still open, but I think it's very probable that we
will decide for the larger (CS300 Bombardier jet)," Swiss CEO
Thomas Kluehr told Reuters on Wednesday at an event to unveil
Swiss's first CS100 plane.

Lufthansa also has an option for a further 30 CSeries jets,
with the decision on whether to exercise those up to the
Lufthansa executive board.

"It's a wonderful aircraft, so I think the chances are good,
but I don't know when the final decision will be made," Kluehr
said.